Timberlake attracts crowd, Reavie takes early AT&T lead

PEBBLE BEACH — As Justin Timberlake walked briskly into the maze of trees alongside the 11th hole at Spyglass Hill on Thursday, he was not really a famous singer. He also was not an accomplished actor or a teen heartthrob or a philanthropist.

Mostly, he was just another frustrated golfer.

One marshal pointed deep into the forest and said, “It’s over there.” Timberlake, without breaking stride, nodded and replied nonchalantly, “I can hit it that bad.”

Moments later, after discovering his ball resting against a twig — and with several trees blocking his path back to the fairway — his caddie warned him about hitting the shot too hard. Timberlake laughed and said, “Man, I’m just trying to make contact.”

Even with this unwelcome detour, Timberlake’s presence illustrates the essential spirit of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — and why this year’s edition is creating fresh buzz. Make no mistake, the celebrities are driving the boat.

Justin Timberlake tees off on the sixth hole as he plays the Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the first round of play, on Thurs. February 11, 2016, at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, in Pebble Beach, California.

Justin Timberlake tees off on the sixth hole as he plays the Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the first round of play, on Thurs. February 11, 2016, at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, in Pebble Beach, California.

Justin Timberlake tees off on the sixth hole as he plays the Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the first round of play, on Thurs. February 11, 2016, at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, in Pebble Beach, California.

Justin Timberlake tees off on the sixth hole as he plays the Spyglass Hill Golf Course during the first round of play, on Thurs. February 11, 2016, at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, in Pebble Beach, California.

The pros still did their thing, taking full advantage of calm conditions. Chez Reavie, a 34-year-old journeyman, seized the early lead by shooting 8-under-par 63 at Monterey Peninsula. Justin Rose posted 66 at Spyglass to plant himself in contention. Spieth and Jason Day shot matching 71s at Spyglass.

But what makes the AT&T distinctive, separating it from other events on the PGA Tour calendar, are the moments Rose witnessed on his last few holes. His amateur partner, Timberlake, accepted a nearby homeowner’s invitation to borrow his guitar on the No. 16 tee; Timberlake played an impromptu 30-second rendition of “Drink Me Away.”

Then, on their uphill hike to the 17th tee, Rose marveled at the pack of exuberant spectators shrieking “Justin!” — and not for the 2013 U.S. Open champion.

“Everyone was under 21 and 80 percent female,” Rose said. “I said, ‘OK, that moved the needle a little bit.’ … Trust me, I came into today knowing what to expect.”

Timberlake actually helped persuade Rose to play in this tournament for the first time in his career. They met several years ago at Rose’s home club in Orlando and became friends while playing golf there and later in the Bahamas.

Their rapport was evident Thursday. When Rose made his birdie putt on No. 12 to reach 6-under, Timberlake smiled widely and proclaimed, “Man, did I pick the right horse!” Later, when Rose sank a 50-foot birdie putt on No. 18, Timberlake offered enthusiastic congratulations and retrieved the ball from the hole.

Five groups behind them, a similar story line played out with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and actor-producer Wahlberg. They’ve been friends since 2010, when Wahlberg played in the U.S. Open Challenge at Pebble Beach and Watson served as Drew Brees’ caddie for the exhibition event.

Wahlberg hadn’t played in the past five AT&Ts, but none other than Clint Eastwood asked him to return. Wahlberg, no fool, couldn’t turn down Dirty Harry. So he came back — and brought fellow left-hander Watson with him. Watson is playing in the tournament for the first time in nine years.

Wahlberg and Watson wore matching golf shirts (thanks to Oakley, one of Watson’s sponsors) and clearly enjoyed their journey around Spyglass. The pace was swift by AT&T Pro-Am standards, but not by Wahlberg’s standards.

He doesn’t play much golf, given his four kids. He tries to squeeze in nine early-morning holes when he can at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles, teeing off at 6:30 and finishing by 8:30.

“Home by 9 with some pancakes, and my wife is happy,” Wahlberg said.

Watson and Wahlberg prepared for the tournament by playing friendly matches during practice rounds this week. The vibe changed Thursday, when they suddenly became teammates instead of adversaries.

“It’s the first day Bubba was actually supportive and not trying to take my money,” Wahlberg said. “Usually, he’s trying everything he can to heckle me.”

The day didn’t go especially well for Watson, golf-wise — he shot 1-over 73 — but he seemed to take it in stride. He returned to the AT&T, after all, mostly to hang out with his movie-star buddy.

And here they were, playing one of the world’s most picturesque courses on a sparkling winter day. All in all, not a terrible place to be, even if the number on his scorecard was higher than desired.